By Marla Stone, RD, LD, Oncology Dietitian
The Armes Family Cancer Care Center

The National Cancer Institute defines cancer as, “…a disease in which some of the body’s cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body.” According to the American Cancer Society, one in two men and one in three women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Nutrition plays a role in cell growth and can help reduce your risk of developing cancer by providing an adequate amount of nutrients needed to support healthy cell growth. Cancer is a disease that is multi-factorial including, but not limited to lifestyle, environment, age and genetics. While we cannot control all of these factors, we can control some of them, which will help decrease the risk of developing cancer.

In order to fuel the body appropriately and provide adequate nutrients all day long, it is best practice to aim for smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day. This is not to say you cannot consume breakfast, lunch and dinner but, rather, that you control your portions with these three meals and incorporate balanced snacks between them. There are also many different types of oral nutrition supplements available that have a variety of nutrients along with the convenience of grab-and-go. While it is recommended to get all of our nutrients from the foods we eat, sometimes nutritional supplements are necessary. Each individual is different, so it is best to discuss the varying options of nutritional supplements and food/snack recommendations with a registered dietitian to find what will best meet the individual needs of your body. 

Another way to help prevent cancer is by getting regular exercise. Exercise has many positive effects on our bodies, not only with mental health, but also with physical health including metabolism, bowel regulation and weight control – all can help reduce your risk for cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends adults aim for 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity activity or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity each week, or a combination of these. Exercise can be fun and incorporated into our everyday life and does not need to be an additional burden. Trying to be more intentional about getting up and moving throughout the day can, and will, make a difference. 

The environment around us is a, somewhat, modifiable risk factor. While we cannot singly control all environmental factors, we do have some control over the type of environment in which we choose to surround ourselves. Trying to avoid secondhand smoke exposure, sunburns, and other risk factors will also help decrease our chances of developing cancer. If you are unable to avoid these risk factors, limiting your exposure is recommended. Avoiding known carcinogens such as alcohol, tobacco and other substance abuse, is also recommended to decrease your chances of developing cancer. 

As we all know, each individual is different. Cancer affects everyone differently and not only affects the individual diagnosed with cancer but, also, affects their loved ones. By controlling these modifiable risk factors, individuals can reduce their chances of developing cancer and improve their overall quality of life. Unfortunately, people can do “all the right things” and still develop cancer based on non-modifiable risk factors. However, if you, or a loved one, has been diagnosed with cancer, these modifiable risk factors can also play an important role in treatment tolerance and outcome.